Back in 1972, Stubbies was one of the most popular boardshorts in Australia and New Zealand.
Established by Australian company Edward Fletcher and Co., for the first year alone (1972), over 750,000 pairs of Stubbies were sold. With the success of the shorts, the company changed its name to Stubbies.
In the US, Stubbies would make its presence known in 1983 and easily the alternative surfing brand to purchase was OP (Ocean Pacific), Hobie or surfer Michael Thompson’s Gotcha International.
Stubbies are for the most part short shorts that were popular back in the ’70s but through the ’70s and ’80s, Stubbies had a presence in surfing competitions, such as the Stubbies surf competition held annually in March at Burleigh Heads, Queensland from 1977 to 1988 and the Stubbies Pro Surfing Championship in Oceanside, California.
The company was sold to Sara Lee Corporation in 1990 and moved offshore. In 2001, Pacific Dunlop (now known as Pacific Brands) acquired Sara Lee Apparel Australasia in 2001 and brought the company back to Australia.
While Stubbies lost its worldwide luster which it had from the ’70’s and ’80s, people still remember the company and its contribution to surfing and of course, surfwear.
So, it was pretty cool when Billabong released the Stubbies 73 Lo Tides Boardshorts.
These shorts were only sold as an exclusive on billabong.com and featured a customizable fit and all over block color.
It fits with the 73 Lo Ties Fit, which is shorter shorts (like the classic shorts) but with a modern fit made with a recycled cotton stretch blend with the structure of vintage cotton with the stretchable performance of polyester.
The boardshort features a scalloped leg and side binding, on-seam pockets an an internally adjustable waistband and recycled stretch fabric with micro repel water repellent coating which keeps fabric light and quick drying.
The shorts feature a woven label at the back patch pocket with a woven Billabong label on the back. While the front left features a Billabong Stubbies logo.
Now, how short are these boardshorts? No, these are not 14 inch outseam shorts, they are 18-inch outseams, which is short for Billabong (as most boardshorts are 19-21 inch outseam).
These shorts are fit to size but if you want it loose, go a size up. I’m size 34/35 but went for 36 and these were a bit snug.
I personally love these shorts, as a nod to the classic Stubbies shorts of the ’70s and its two tone, red and white color. But also its modern, recycled stretch and micro repel coating with a performance fit.
The Billabong Stubbies 73 Lo Tides Board Shorts are recommended!
